Water Facts and Conservation Tips

Did You Know?

There is about the same amount of water on Earth now as there was millions of years ago. Nearly 97 percent of all the world's water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2 percent is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves 1 percent for all our needs. Water regulates the Earth's temperature. It also helps regulate the temperature of the human body! The average total home water use for each person in the U.S. is about 50 gallons a day. More water is used in the bathroom than any other place in the home. A dripping faucet can waste up to 2,000 gallons of water a year.

You Can Help Conserve Our Water Resources

At school and at home, you can help protect our water resources.

Turn off the tap in your bathroom while you brush your teeth. Take shorter showers. (Get a timer and time yourself.) Don't let the water run constantly while you're washing or rinsing dishes. Fill a pitcher with tap water and put it in the fridge, rather than running the tap every time you want a cold drink! Clean sidewalks and driveways with a broom--not the water hose! Water your lawn in the early morning to avoid evaporation. Repair dripping faucets. Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants to retain water.